Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared about the events regarding the celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of Vir Lachit Barphukan.

In his 99th Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi said, “I would like to share a story from Assam, which also promotes the theme of Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat.”

“You all know that we are celebrating the 400th birth anniversary of Vir Lachit Barphukan. He had got Assam free from the cruel rule of the Mughals. Today, the country is getting to know about his valour. We also organised an essay writing competition on his life,” he added.

PM Modi added, “You all would be surprised to know that we received more than 45,000 essays. This has become a Guinness World Record, and more importantly, these essays were received in 23 different languages”.

On March 9, the state has earned a place in the Guinness World Records for the largest number of handwritten notes submitted for a common purpose during an essay writing to mark the 400th birth anniversary of the legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan.

The authorities with the Guinness World Records handed over the certificate to the chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma. The state government received a total of 42,94,350 handwritten essays from different parts of the world.

“57 Lakh people had uploaded their thoughts on Lachit Barphukan during that period. Out of that, 42.94 lakh was handwritten. Guinness World Records has confirmed that this is the largest handwritten photo album so far in the records of the Guinness World Records”, Sarma said.

Meanwhile, Modi also pointed out several examples in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, to showcase the role of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ in realising India’s true potential.

He pointed out that for the first time in history, a woman MLA and minister are holding office in Nagaland.

“If you look at politics, a new start has taken place in Nagaland. For the first time in 75 years, two women MLAs have reached the state assembly. One of them was also made the minister. So, the people of Nagaland got their first woman minister,” PM Modi said.

Who is Lachit Barphukan? 

Born on 24 November 1622, Lachit Barphukan was an Ahom commander known for his heroic leadership in the Battle of Saraighat. In the state of Assam, Barphukan is known as the symbol of indomitable courage. Barphukhan was notably a general in the Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam, which was responsible for defeating the mighty Mughal aspirations under the reign of Aurangzeb.

Barphukan played an integral part in dealing with the Mughals in a series of conflicts from 1615 – 1682. Since the year 1999, the best cadet from the National Defence Academy is awarded the Lachit Borpukan gold medal. The Assamese government believes that the medal would inspire defense personnel to emulate Baephukan’s heroism and sacrifice.